Our Swedish origins

It's no accident that the IKEA logo is blue and yellow. These are the colours of the Swedish flag.

In Sweden, nature and the home both play a big part in people's lives. In fact, one of the best ways to describe the Swedish home furnishing style is to describe nature - full of light and fresh air, yet restrained and unpretentious.

Swedish lifestyle

Many people associate Sweden with a fresh, healthy way of life. This Swedish lifestyle is reflected in the IKEA product range. The freshness of the open air is reflected in the colours and materials used and the sense of space they create: blond woods, natural textiles and untreated surfaces. In a country that is cold and dark for much of the year, these light, bright living spaces create the sensation of summer sunshine indoors all year round.

Historical influences

In the late 1800s, the artists Carl and Karin Larsson combined classical influences with warmer Swedish folk styles. They created a model of Swedish home furnishing design that today enjoys worldwide renown. In the 1950s the styles of modernism and functionalism were developing at the same time as Sweden was establishing a society founded on social equality. The IKEA product range - modern but not trendy, functional yet attractive, people-focussed and child-friendly - carries on these Swedish home furnishing traditions.

Our Småland roots

The IKEA concept, like its founder, was born in Småland. This is a part of southern Sweden where the soil is thin and poor. The people are famous for working hard, living on slender means and using their heads to make the best possible use of the limited resources they have. This way of doing things is at the heart of the IKEA approach to keeping prices low. But quality is not compromised for the sake of cost. Sweden has an international reputation for safety and quality you can rely on, and IKEA retailers take pride in offering the right quality in all situations.

Swedish society

IKEA was founded when Sweden was fast becoming an example of the caring society, where rich and poor alike were well looked after. This is also a theme that fits well with the IKEA vision. In order to give the many people a better everyday life, IKEA asks the customer to work as a partner, for example by assembling the furniture yourself we are able to offer it at a low price. The product range is child-friendly and covers the needs of the whole family, young and old. So together we can create a better everyday life for everyone.